lessons from the Central American

Mainstreaming Climate-Smart Agriculture

into a regional policy in a fast-track

formulation process:

lessons from the Central American

Region

Jean-Francois Le Coq (CIAT/CIRAD); Laura Meza (IICA); Marieke Veeger (UCI), Deissy Martinez Baron (CIAT/CCAFS), Ana Maria Loboguerrero (CIAT/CCAFS)

Background & objective

• Mainstreaming climate solutions in policy

is key for transformation of agriculture in

climate change context.

• Rapid policy changes are necessary to

cope such urgent issue.

• Role of science / scientist in policy

changes is expected

Objective : Analyze the successful case of the rapid formulation and adoption

of climate-smart agriculture approach by Central American governments

What are

the factors explaining rapid adoption

of CSA Regional Strategy for

Central America and the Dominican Republic (EASAC)?

What has been

the role of science and scientists

in the process?

3 operational strategic axes

1. Efficient production system for sustainable livelihood 2. Integral management of risk

and climate adaptation 3. Low carbon sustainable

Analytical framework & method

(Non research based

influence)

Agenda setting and

formulation process

Research

(Research based influence)

Multiple stream framework (Kingdon, 1993) Idea, institution, interest (Hall,1997; Heclo, 1994;…)

Characteristics and steps (policy tracing) : - Method of formulation - Actors’ involvement and role

Science-policy interface (Heink et al. 2015) Science-Policy engagement (Dinesh et al, 2018)

Formulation process of the

Central American CSA strategy

2015/09: Decision of

designing the EASAC by ministries of SICA

2016/12: Regional

Workshop on Strategic axes and lines of actions

2017/06 : Approval

of CSA regional strategy by CAC

2017/02: Regional

scenarios workshop to test and robust policy

2017/04-05: Large

Key factors of success

Policy and politics :

• Clear Policy will and mandate

• Leadership from Costa Rican Minister of agriculture

Key factors of success

Institutions and Science-policy Interface:

 Preexistence of CAC technical committee on Climate change

 Interagency group (Donors + Researchers) to support the formulation  Good communication between executive secretary of technical

committee and SICAs ministries

Methodology :

• Combination of face-to-face and virtual

consultation [Stakeholders integration

and transparency and openness]

• Prospective methods to assure systems approach and reduce future uncertainties

Discussion

Policy variables

• Policy windows matters!! (Kingdon, 1993)

• Problem: Acknowledged CC issue in Central America

• Policy: CSA policy solution

• Politics: Protempore presidency of Costa Rica

• Ideas, institutions and interests (Hall,1997; Heclo, 1994;…)

• Ideas: CSA adopted as a reference concept

• Institutions: Preexisting institutions dedicated to CC issue (design and support)

• Interests : While CSA is discussed in academic and international policy arena, few debates during the EASAC process – lack of participation, real consensus, or pace of process?

Role of science and researchers in policy process

• Research products uptake or involvement in methodology and process? • Combination of experts knowledge … diagnosis & future exploration … • Importance of rigorous process more than specific scientific inputs

• Factors of science-policy interface performance (Heink et al. 2015):

• Credibility / Relevancy / Legitimacy …. And Trust !

• Science-policy engagement (Dinesh et al, 2018)

Key messages

 Climate Smart Agriculture Regional Strategy for Central

America and the Dominican Republic (EASAC) is a successful example of the rapid formulation of regional policy to tackle climate change issue in the agricultural sector.

 Trust, Credibility, Legitimacy and Relevancy are key factors

for science-policy interface efficiency.

 Flexible and opportunistic science engagement strategy is

necessary to create and get benefit from policy windows.

 Scientific methodological support for policy processes is as

important as scientific outputs for effective policy oriented research.

 Political variables have to be considered to strengthen

efficiency of science-policy interface and science-policy engagement strategy.

Perspective and next issues

 Central American CSA Regional Strategy is now a reference

for policy making in the region

 an incentive for CSA national policy (e.g. Salvador).

 Inclusion of a climate pillar in the new regional agricultural policy

 Implementation of CSA regional strategy depends on national

policy will and stakeholders interplay at national level, along with monitoring and support of the regional body that has the

custody

 New issues for the research agenda

 Understand bottlenecks for the implementation of the regional strategy (at regional and national level)

 Support national policy process